Sheriff Neil Warren said investigators learned of the matter after the inmate made a complaint late Wednesday alleging she had been sexually assaulted by an employee of the Sheriff’s Office on the evening of Jan. 11.

“We were able to determine through the investigation that there was probable cause for a criminal warrant to be issued,” Warren said. “I’m really heartbroken over it, to be honest with you.”

Sutherland, who has since been terminated, is a former Marine and 10-year veteran of the department.

He was assigned to the detention center, where he supervised 20 to 30 deputies and about 250 inmates, Warren said.

The sheriff said, while he couldn’t go into many details, the jail covers about 20 acres.

“You’re moving inmates from point A to point B, it could be for various reasons,” Warren said. “It could be for moving them into another cellblock, taking them to the infirmary for a doctor’s appointment, to see the nurse, just a number of things.”

Warren said it’s normal procedure, given that Sutherland was a sergeant, to help with moving inmates.

“And evidently they had some time together when this was committed,” he said.

Sutherland remains in jail on a $100,000 bond.

“He has brought distrust and dishonor on the family of law enforcement,” Warren said. “He has tarnished the badge that we all in law enforcement hold dear to our heart.”

Warren said the conduct Sutherland engaged in was unacceptable under any circumstances.

“But even more so when it’s perpetrated by a law enforcement officer against someone that he’s been charged with protecting,” he said.

Investigators are checking on other possible misconduct.

“I have already initiated an internal investigation to find out how can we not let this happen again,” Warren said.

@ allmencht. I have to agree with Retired SO. Get out! Leave while you still have your high horse to ride out on! Your username and comments are more telling than you can imagine. I've been with the SO for many, many years and would never profess to know the hearts, minds, and intent of most of them, much less make such a blanket judgement of all of them. I can, however, make the blanket statment that I've found most to be hard working, compassionate, caring and with more regard for their fellow man than you have obviously ever known. I've worked, cried, sweated, had my heart broken and my faith tested with many of them for many years, and I can tell you one thing for certain. Even though I may not like a few of them personnally and they may not like me, I know that they've got my back, and they know I've got theirs. Their personal lives or lifestyles are none of my business, as long as their actions are not illegal, as in this case. This case is heartbreaking to many of us, and yes, infuriating. But the majority of us are not, as you say, morally bankrupt. If you don't know that, then you truly do not need to be here.

@ allmencht: So you actually know the majority personnel of the SO and based on your judgement they are all corrupt? Yes I am sure there are some who may be of questionable character it happens with any large department. But based on my experience most are good men and women who have elected to take on great risks in a thankless low paying job. I knew Sutherland and was shocked and hurt to see him break his oath of office and stoop to this level, he deserves the punishment that will be forth coming. But for you to be using this horrible situation as an opportunity to air your grievances and make nasty unsupported comments, puts you on a low level as well. If you think everyone is so corrupt in the SO then please get out now, no one wants someone like you watching their back!

@ seriously5767686: You are so wrong about this man when you say "he washed out as a court deputy and was sent back to the jail". If you really knew your facts you would know that a majority, but not all, deputies when promoted either to Sgt. or Lt. usually get sent back to the jail as their new assignment. This is done because all deputies, at one time or another, have spent time working the jail and these folks come back to get the experience being a supervisor in an area that they are familiar with. Very few get promoted and stay in field operations. They usually move back to filed ops, years later. Now you know the facts.

ladypretty

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June 26, 2013

i totally agree. there are some great people in the sheriffs department I know for a fact and did know sutherland very well and believe it or not it was not his character at all!!!! That jail is like another like and brings bad spirits and demons on you thats why I say get out while you can. I did....

concerned in cobb

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January 21, 2013

To Concerned, you are the moron. You can't even formulate and type a legitimate response.

I personally happen to know that this is the culture at the sheriff's office. The majority of the men and women are morally bankrupt. Infidelity is rampant at this particular S.O. The majority engage in this behavior and cover for each other. This man is not new to this, he just happened to do it to an inmate this time. It's like a large incestuous family.

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